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This forum is for discussions that span multiple branches of service as well as DoD and the Pentagon.enThu, 21 Mar 2019 16:34:39 GMTvBulletin60http://forums.militarytimes.com/images/metro/blue/misc/rss.pngMilitary Times Forums - Military Lifehttp://forums.militarytimes.com/
Judge Rules Male-Only Draft Violates Constitutionhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9979-Judge-Rules-Male-Only-Draft-Violates-Constitution?goto=newpost
Mon, 25 Feb 2019 20:55:38 GMT---Quote---
Requiring only men to register for the draft is unconstitutional, a federal judge has ruled.
The Military Selective Service Actstates...

Quote:

Requiring only men to register for the draft is unconstitutional, a federal judge has ruled.
The Military Selective Service Actstates that men in the U.S. ages 18 through 25 must register in case the country needs a military draft. Women face no such requirement. On Friday, a federal judge in Texas ruled that a males-only draft violates the equal protection provisions of the U.S. Constitution.
While historical restrictions on women in the military may have justified past discrimination, they don't anymore, wrote Senior Judge Gray Miller of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. "If there ever was a time to discuss 'the place of women in the Armed Services,' that time has passed," he wrote, citing an earlier Supreme Court decision.
That case, dating from the early 1980s, had held that requiring only men to register for the draft didn't violate the Constitution. Since only men were eligible to serve in combat, the court reasoned, it would have made no sense to require women to register.

Times have changed, the Texas judge said. In 2013, the Department of Defense officially lifted the ban on women in combat, and in 2015 it lifted all gender-based restrictions. "The dispositive fact" in that case — that women are ineligible for combat — "can no longer justify the MSSA's gender-based discrimination," he wrote.
The latest case was brought by the National Coalition For Men, an advocacy group dedicated to raising awareness of discrimination against men.
"Forcing only males to register is an aspect of socially institutionalized male disposability," the group said in a statement. "Men still face prison, fines, and denial of federal loans for not registering or for not updating the government of their whereabouts." Women, it said, "should face the same repercussions as men for any noncompliance."
To win its case, the government needed to show that the male-only registration requirement was "substantially related to Congress's important objective of drafting and raising combat troops," Miller wrote. The government argued that requiring women to register for the draft might make them less likely to enlist by "increasing the perception that women will be forced to serve in combat roles," he said.
But that argument, Miller said, "smacks of archaic and overbroad generalizations" about women's preferences. "Defendants' argument rests on the assumption that women are significantly more combat-averse than men," the judge said, noting that the government hadn't presented any evidence to support that claim.https://www.npr.org/2019/02/25/69762...d42Zh4h7l1mgyw

Seems logical, I reckon...
]]>Military LifeBos Mutushttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9979-Judge-Rules-Male-Only-Draft-Violates-ConstitutionPrivatized Housinghttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9971-Privatized-Housing?goto=newpost
Wed, 20 Feb 2019 17:22:09 GMTI see in the news where there are problems at some bases with the privatized housing, i.e poorly kept, insect infestations, etc. Complaints of lack...I see in the news where there are problems at some bases with the privatized housing, i.e poorly kept, insect infestations, etc. Complaints of lack of accountability. Any thoughts?
]]>Military LiferetiredAFcivvyhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9971-Privatized-HousingThoughts on Retirementhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9970-Thoughts-on-Retirement?goto=newpost
Fri, 15 Feb 2019 18:04:00 GMT

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLAPS

Do you have an interesting topic you'd like to discuss?

"Interesting" is pretty subjective. Let's see. I'm retired so not a lot going on. We have about 2 ft of snow right now. I've picked the right curtain for the "Big Deal" 3 days in a row, and am through the first 8 episodes of season 1 for our Game of Thrones rewatch before the final season starts. I'm thinking I should probably shovel, but then I say to myself "I've got nowhere to be, it'll melt sooner or later."

Once the weather clears, I need to get my fishing license so I can take the boat out. It's a great time of year for fishing. Some big Rainbows and German Brown's out there waiting.

Other than that, not much going on. Life is damn enjoyable. No news on my TV for about 7 months now, I think. Shutdowns, emergencies, all sorts of stuff, yet my life continues with all the "important" stuff having zero impact on my daily life.

I suggest, again, that everyone retire and quit working as soon as it's financially possible (not rich financially possible but "we can get by" financially possible" in order to enjoy every moment with your family because spending time with them now is far more important that living big 20 years from now.
]]>Military LifeAF sgthttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9970-Thoughts-on-RetirementSECDEF Mattis Resignshttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9954-SECDEF-Mattis-Resigns?goto=newpost
Thu, 20 Dec 2018 23:20:45 GMTWas he the last adult left at the table?
Was it the Syria pullout that did it...the last straw?Was he the last adult left at the table?

Was it the Syria pullout that did it...the last straw?
]]>Military LifeBos Mutushttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9954-SECDEF-Mattis-ResignsTrump signs order to create US Space Commandhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9952-Trump-signs-order-to-create-US-Space-Command?goto=newpost
Tue, 18 Dec 2018 20:20:02 GMT---Quote---
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump launched the Pentagon’s new Space Command...

Quote:

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump launched the Pentagon’s new Space Command on Tuesday, an effort to better organize and advance the military’s vast operations in space that could cost as much as $800 million over the next five years. Trump signed a one-page memorandum Tuesday authorizing the Department of Defense to create the new command.

The goal is to set up a command to oversee and organize space operations, accelerate technical advances and find more effective ways to defend U.S. assets in space, including the vast constellations of satellites that American forces rely on for navigation, communications and surveillance. The move comes amid growing concerns that China and Russia are working on ways to disrupt, disable or even destroy U.S. satellites.

Vice Adm. Scott Stearney, who oversaw U.S. naval forces in the Middle East, was found dead Saturday in his residence in Bahrain, officials said. Defense officials told CBS News they are calling it an "apparent suicide."
Stearney was the commander of the U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet. Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, the deputy commander of the 5th Fleet, has assumed command, the Navy said in a statement.
"This is devastating news for the Stearney family, for the team at 5th Fleet, and for the entire U.S. Navy," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said. "Scott Stearney was a decorated Naval warrior. He was a devoted husband and father, and he was a good friend to all."

I was talking to a couple people the other day, and someone brought up the idea that why don't we have 'mental health checkups' like we do dental and other health? I don't think you have a mental health provider ever talk to you unless you go in with a problem. So, spitballing here, but...

Would it be practical to schedule everyone for an annual mental health check-up?

Could there even be like a 2-3 day mental health retreat that is normal maintenance for all military personnel? Maybe 'therapy' is a better word....seems like a lot of more wealthy folks go to regular therapy, not because they have a problem, but because it serves their better overall interests to be mentally well and understand more about themselves, whatever. I'm guessing it's expensive and not covered by insurance which is why it seems mostly rich people do it.

I think mental health is not like other health that they can do a blood test or scan and see something...I think generally you need a patient that recognizes a problem and wants help, but I'm no expert...is there screening, etc. that can identify problems the patient may not even be aware of?

Also wondering if everyone having to go to mental health as a normal routine would remove some of the stigma when people are seen as 'going to mental health'....
]]>Military LifeBos Mutushttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9951-U-S-Navy-admiral-Scott-Stearney-found-dead-in-apparent-suicideTop enlisted adviser Troxell suspended, under investigation for alleged misconducthttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9944-Top-enlisted-adviser-Troxell-suspended-under-investigation-for-alleged-misconduct?goto=newpost
Mon, 29 Oct 2018 19:51:30 GMTSenior Enlisted Advisor to the CJCS. Pretty much the highest enlisted person in the U.S. Military.
---Quote---
Army Command Sgt. Maj. John...Senior Enlisted Advisor to the CJCS. Pretty much the highest enlisted person in the U.S. Military.

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Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Wayne Troxell, the top enlisted adviser to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford, has been suspended from his position following allegations of misconduct, the Pentagon announced Thursday. Troxell is the subject of a complaint now under investigation by the Army inspector general, the Joint Staff confirmed in a statement. Troxell has been removed from his duties and did not accompany Dunford to a trip to Europe, a U.S. official said on the condition of not being named.

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/y...ed-misconduct/
]]>Military LifeBos Mutushttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9944-Top-enlisted-adviser-Troxell-suspended-under-investigation-for-alleged-misconductDiabeties testing?http://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9941-Diabeties-testing?goto=newpost
Fri, 03 Aug 2018 03:44:14 GMTDoes anyone know, if in general, when one is in the mil, do they check you for having diabeties? What about when one gets out, is it part of your...Does anyone know, if in general, when one is in the mil, do they check you for having diabeties? What about when one gets out, is it part of your exit medical? I can't remember ever having anything mentioned for it.
And now with getting word that my brother, is having to get a limb amputated, because of undiagnosed diabeties that's chronic (and gave his foot gangrene) i am worried about whether i need to get checked or not..
]]>Military Lifegarhkalhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9941-Diabeties-testingNon-citizens in the military??http://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9940-Non-citizens-in-the-military?goto=newpost
Sat, 14 Jul 2018 21:14:04 GMTAnyone know WHEN the us govt, started allowing non-citizens to serve, and WHY?? How can a non-citizen get a security clearance??Anyone know WHEN the us govt, started allowing non-citizens to serve, and WHY?? How can a non-citizen get a security clearance??
]]>Military Lifegarhkalhttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9940-Non-citizens-in-the-militaryCommissary changeshttp://forums.militarytimes.com/showthread.php/9880-Commissary-changes?goto=newpost
Fri, 17 Feb 2017 19:21:37 GMTThis was an interesting read. I was aware DeCA was undergoing some changes but hadn't heard a specific plan. This plan, to me, sound like it's going to head towards a more "commercial" kind of grocery store. If this is the case, I'm not sure what the advantage is going to be. Over the past several years it seems to be losing it's luster anyway. With these planned changes I can't see any purpose of shopping at the commissary unless you're one of those people who's afraid to go outside the gate.

I still don't understand why they don't just scrap them completely CONUS (except for bases outside a certain radius from a grocery store) and just keep them overseas, at most.